Siphon.



- Patenfed Aug. 22, i899. R. a. coLL'lNs. 1

S P H 0 N (Application filed Bepi. 14, v1898.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT Ormes.

REUBEN GILBERT COLLINS, OF DOLLAR BAY., MIOIIIGAN.`

SIPHON.

SPECIFICATION 'forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,736, daten August a2, 1899.

Application filed September 14.1898. Serial No. 690,937. (No model.)

T0 all wtont it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, REUBEN GILBERT CoL- LINS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Dollar Bay, in the county of Houghton and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Siphons, of which the followin'g is a specification.

My invention relates to siphons adapted to draw 0E and to conduct molten metals, acids, and the like.

The object I have in view is to produce a means for conducting molten liquid metal, acids, and the like from one receptacle to another' conveniently, cheaply, safely, and with greater celerity than is accomplished in the practice of the older methods.

To this end my invention consists in a siphon hermetically and temporarily sealed, the contents being extracted so as to render the interior thereof as near a practical vacuum as possible.

In the preferred form of my siphon the ends are temporarily closed by a material that may be readily removed by the action of the liquid which is to be conducted through the Siphon.

One use for which my invention may be employed is for drawing molten metal, such as copper, from a furnace containing such metal and conducting it into such places or receptacles as may be desired.

I construct my siphon of a material that will resist the destructive action of the molten metal. Such a refractory material, which I have found to answer the purpose, is graphite of about the same constituent character as that of which crucibles are composed. For the purpose of greater strength I surround the graphite tube With an armor of iron or the like, as shown in the drawings.

The accompanying drawings form a part hereof, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of my siphon l and a furnace, such as described, showing the furnace in section. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of my Siphon, showing the manner of its construction. Fig. 3 is a removable sealing-chamber in section showing the manner of its application to one end of the siphon for the purpose of exhausting and sealing the same.

Like letters refer to corresponding parts in all of the figures.

A represents a siphon. For convenience of construction it is composed of three sections of preferably graphite tubing a, b, and c,"

being firmly held together by flanges forming air-tight joints d d. To give strength to the middle section, it may be surrounded by an iron tube e. The curved sections c, and c may be partially covered with an iron tube, or they may be left entirely uncovered, as shown. It is desirable, however, to leave the metallic armor off of that portion of the siphon that enters the molten metal. The three sections may be held together by means of the iron flanges, as shown, or by any other convenient and practical method, or, as stated before, the Siphon Inay be made of one continuous refractory tube and armored or strengthened by`other means than that shown.

B is a furnace containing molten metal O.

f is the door through which the metal is usually ladled out. A chain g is passed over the trolley-wheel h and is attached by each end to the Siphon. The cord or chain over the wheel j and the counterbalance-Weight h serve as a means for suspending the siphon and for conveniently handling and operating it While in use.

Referring now to Fig. 3, D is an air-chamber adapted to fit over the end of the siphonsection c. Attached to this chamber by means of a flange and ring is a iieXible rubber sleeve m. The clamp-rings fn n are designed to hold the sleeve in intimate contact with the tube, and thus provide a temporary air-tight joint. An outlet o, to which hose p is attached, is a means through which the air is exhausted. Through an extension to the air-chamber a threaded stem q passes, which is made airtight by the use of the usual packing o", gland s, and compression-cap t. An air-cock u enters the air-chamber D. A loose sealing-cap o, provided with a yielding gasket w, is adapted to be loosely carried on the end of the stem q. The upper end (t of the siphon may be closed by a simple thin disk of copper and yielding gasket. p

The operation of my device is as follows: When it is desirable to use my siphon for conducting molten metal, such as copper, the upper end of the siphon should be closed by a copper disk, to the inner surface of which may be glued or otherwise attached a yieldtight closure.

ing disk, such as paper', so as to make an air- The air-chamber D should be slipped over the discharge end of the siphon and made air-tight by the rings n. The sealing-cap 'u should iirst be placed within the air-chamber, as shown. The cock u should be closed. An air-exhaust pump should be applied to the outlet 0 and the air drawn from the interior of the siphon. When the interior of the siphon becomes practically a vacuum, the exterior atmospheric pressure will hold the copper disk in contact With the end a of the Siphon, and at the same time the screw-stem is turned so as to carry the cap fu to its seat on the end of the Siphon-tube c.

As soon as it has been properly seated air .should be admitted into the chamber D by opening cock u, when the atmospheric pressure will hold the sealing-cap c also in place, after which the air-chamber D may be removed after loosening clamps n n. The interior of the siphon is now practically a vacuum and it is ready for use. The Siphon is now placed in position shown in Fig. l. The end a, which is sealed with a copper disk, is submerged in the molten metal C. The copper disk is thereby fused, when the molten' metal will enter the siphon by virtue lof the vacuum and be discharged at the end c. The sealing-cap Q; will drop off of the end c before the hot metal reaches it, or it may be removed with a hook or chain and preserved to be used again. The metal will continue to iiow while the end c of the siphon remains in a position lower than the end a. The relative elevation of the respective ends will regulate the ow or stopl the flow, as may be desired. v

In practice several siphons may' be prepared in the manner described and be held in readiness for use in the event that by accident one or more should become inoperative.

In the use of my siphon for conveying acids or the like the conduit-tube should be made of a material that is not subjected to deteriorating effect of the acid, and the end a, should be sealed by a means or with a material that will be readily removed by the action of the material to be conveyed.

The seal on the Lipper end of my siphon may be made of glass or other fragile material, which may be broken with a blow or otherwise than by the action of the material to be conveyed after the upper end of the siphon has been submerged in the liquid or .material to be conveyed.

It is evident that my invention is susceptible of modifications in construction and application, and I do not therefore desire to limit myself to particulars; but,

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A siphon, substantially such as described, which consists of a tube practically exhausted of air, a seal on either end of the said tube held in place by external atmospheric pressure, the said Siphon adapted to be sealed before being placed in the material to be conveyed thereby, and the seal of the upper end adapted to be removed therefrom after the said end has been submerged in the said material, substantially as shown and described.

2. A siphon, substantially such as described, temporarily sealed at both ends, a Siphon-tube practically exhausted of air between the said seals, one or both of the said seals being adapted to be removed by the action of the material to be conveyed thereby.

3. A siphon, substantially such as described, temporarily sealed at both ends, a Siphon-tube practically exhausted of air between the lsaid seals, one or both of the said` seals composed of a metal which is soluble in the liquid to be conveyed by the said Siphon.

4. A Siphon, substantially such as described, composed of a refractory material made in three sections, two curved end sections and a middle straight section, oneor more of the said sections being surrounded with a strengthening-armor,

In testimony whereof I'have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this GthdayOfSeptember, ISS-)8.

REUBEN GILBERT COLLINS.

Witnesses:

GEO. I-I. KITTo, JAS. MORAE. 

